Mashable

In the late 1800s, New York's churches began to decorate their sanctuaries with Easter flowers. Parishioners walked from church to church to inspect the floral displays — and so began the custom of the NYC Easter parade.

Centered around Fifth Avenue and open to anyone, the parade grew in stature to something of a major event. Well-to-do New Yorkers attired in the latest modes strolled through the boulevards, watched by middle class citizens eager for the lowdown on new fashion trends.

By 1880, the Easter parade had became a permanent fixture on New York's calendar of civic and social events. As such, milliners and merchants capitalized on the opportunity to promote their wares.

With the turn of the new century, Easter in New York had assumed the mantle of a major retail event, ranking alongside Christmas in this significance.

1898

Image: Museum of the City of New York/Byron Collection/Getty Images

1899

Image: Buyenlarge/Getty Images

1900

Image: Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Images

c. 1900

Image: Buyenlarge/Getty Images

1906

Image: PhotoQuest/Getty Images

1907

Image: Frank M. Ingalls/The New York Historical Society/Getty Images

1907

Image: Frank M. Ingalls/The New York Historical Society/Getty Images

c. 1910

Image: Library of Congress

c. 1910

Image: Library of Congress

c. 1910

Image: Library of Congress

c. 1910

Image: Library of Congress

1911

Image: Library of Congress

1911

Image: Library of Congress

1911

Image: Library of Congress

1911

Image: Library of Congress

1912

Image: PhotoQuest/Getty Images

1915

Image: Library of Congress

c. 1924

Image: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images

1928

Image: Underwood Archives/Getty Images

1933

Image: Levine/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images

Visit Premier Exhibitions at 417 5th Avenue to see the past become present again at "Retronaut's New York." This pop-up exhibition of extraordinary, digitally restored photographs captures New York City at the turn of the 20th century. It's only open until May 15, so be sure to get down there before it’s gone.